Together As One

Moving On Steadily

[Wheein's POV]

"This is good! Both of yall are recovering very well! I'll lower your dosages and keep on pressing on okay?" Dr Lee says as we stand up to leave.

We had been faithfully attending our therapy sessions for the past 2 months. Hyejin had been recovering well ever since that day and even took on an offer for singing an OST. Over the past 2 months, we had all been working on different projects. Hyejin still attended her 'I Live Alone' filming sessions, I took the time to rest a while and write new lyrics, while our unnies had been working nonstop, especially for their solos.

/IN THE WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING/

Later today in the evening, we were meeting to celebrate my birthday at a restaurant that we liked to dine at. Today also happened to be the day that Hyejin's first solo OST would be released. I could tell my partner in life was extremely nervous about it. This would be her first song release since we revealed Hyejin and my condition to the public. I remember how tiring it was during the first few days after our agency had helped us to release a statement to the media outlets. Finally, the truth was out there and although things were initially messy, it made us all feel more carefree strangely. Even the unnies felt so.

After taking my medicine, I took a can of beer and sat down outside her balcony area quietly beside her. She was curled up on her favourite straw chair with her knees brought to her chest while staring at her phone. For a moment, she didn't notice my presence, until I cleared my throat.

"What are you looking at?" I asked her softly, letting the night breeze blow into my face.

"Just scrolling through our fancafe... some fans are... interesting..." Hyejin replies me with an even softer tone.

"Oh?? Let me take a look..." I gently picked the phone out of her hands and scrolled through.

Mmm... some funny memes that our fans had posted. Those were really entertaining to be honest, especially when we were bored, we often scrolled through all their posts to have a good laugh. I continued scrolling to see for more before I paused and frowned.

Leave it to the general public to stream her song.

"Hyejin? Other than the memes did you see anything else?" I asked her cautiously, trying not to let my annoyance show in my voice.

"No? Is there something else?" She asks me with her eyes wide open. She genuinely looked confused as to what else there could have been to see. I quickly reported that post before returning the phone to her.

"Hyejin ah... you know... I'm really proud of you for accepting that opportunity that CEO-nim offered you. More people can see how good you are at singing and how powerful your vocals are." I wrap my arm around hers.

She turns and smiles at me before staring back at the night sky view.

"You know... I'm so nervous but I feel so numb. I'm so excited but I'm scared to let myself expect too much. I have so much fears about it but I also don't want to let the negativity weigh me down. I'm scared to slip back into that phase I just moved out of." She whispers without looking at me. I could tell without seeing her face that she was going to cry based on how her voice cracked.

Shifting my chair impossibly close to her, I hugged and gently pat her head. I could hear her soft sniffling.

"It's okay to be afraid Hyejin ah... what ever happens... you did an amazing job... I promise you that..." I said with sincerity. I knew and understood her fears. That post I saw on the fancafe earlier had also worried me but I didn't want to tell Hyejin about it. She should not find out about that.

I felt her lean closer to me and I merely nuzzled my face into her soft shiny hair. Her scent comforted me. It made me feel like I was home.

[Hyejin's POV]

Today was the big day. I was so worried, I couldn't sleep at all. After I saw Wheein fall asleep, I continued lying there with my eyes wide open.

It will fail. You think they will like it?

No... the thoughts were coming back again. I could feel my heartbeat going faster. I turned to my side and saw Wheein still sleeping peacefully. I carefully slipped out of the huge bed and went out of the room.

Taking a bottle of soju, I sat down on the couch and use a blanket to wrap around my whole body including my head as I curled myself up into a ball.

You're going to be fine. People will like your song. Don't worry.

I wanted to believe that. I wanted to so badly.

Hah! You going to listen to those lies? Sure. Keep lying to yourself.

No... the evil voices were not backing down.

I sighed, taking a long gulp from the bottle. The bitter cold liquid flowed down my throat and I smiled a little at the sensation. Suddenly, I felt the couch sink a little beside me. I turned to my side and before I could react, the green bottle was taken out of my grasp.

"Couldn't sleep?" Her sweet voice filled with sleep asked me calmingly.

I simply nodded before using the blanket to cover her as well. Gently, Wheein shifted my body and laid my head down on her lap.

"Sleep please... I'll be here. I promise you." She strokes my hair as my heartbeat slows to a calming pace. Soon my eyes felt heavy and the last thing I remembered before drifting to dreamland was the soft kiss placed on my forehead.